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Jacksonville Armada had a rough start to its 2016 NASL campaign, winning just one game in the league's 10-match Spring season. Now it has collected its second league victory under head coach Tony Meola: a 2-1, weather-interrupted, home win over NASL newbies Puerto Rico FC.
Coincidentally, the win was Karl Ouimette's debut for Jacksonville. The New York Red Bulls defender is on loan to the Armada for the rest of 2016. Against Puerto Rico, he formed a back line crowded with former RBNY players:
Here is your @JaxArmadaFC Starting XI for tonight's Fall Season home opener! #JAXvPRFC pic.twitter.com/zpSlUQe7jJ
— Jax Armada FC (@JaxArmadaFC) July 9, 2016
Tyler Ruthven logged five appearances for RBNY in 2012; Anthony Wallace managed eight in all competitions in his 2015 stint with the Red Bulls. RBNY (well, mostly MetroStars) legend Meola seems to be gently using his old club's past as a bridge to his new club's future.
The match against Puerto Rico FC was Jacksonville's Fall season home opener. The Armada's lone Spring win was also a home-opener, so there will need to be a few more positive results before one can say the team has turned a corner. Still, Ouimette's loan is off to a promising start.